On 8 February 2011, EU ministers for Transport held an informal meeting in Gödöllő (Hungary), with the European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas and Chairman of the TRAN Committee of European Parliament Brian Simpson. Participants of the informal ministerial meeting held a policy debate on the review of the TEN-T trans-European transport network focusing on planning methodology and financing, and highlighting the crucial role played by transport infrastructures in social cohesion and economic growth.

As the European Commission is expected to publish its legislative proposal on the review of the TEN-T policy by mid-2011, EU Transport ministers meeting at Gödöllő, took the opportunity for a high-level discussion on the future of the TEN-T policy. At this informal meeting ministers appreciated Presidency’s efforts to orient the debate and confirmed the Commission Staff Working Document on the new TEN-T policy planning and implementation issues as a good basis for the TEN-T revision.

Although being aware of the financial constraints imposed by the present economic situation, ministers agreed that the extension of the long-term network should not be reduced. Ministers supported the development of a wide comprehensive network while concentrating the efforts on the core network of the highest strategical importance. These issues are to be addresses by the European Commission in its legislative proposal on the review of the TEN-T policy which is expected to be presented in the summer of 2011.

In this sense, Transport ministers welcomed the intention of the Commission to continue to make EU funding available to develop TEN-T comprehensive network in the future, in particular in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund. They also supported the principle that the TEN-T and the cohesion policies could be better coordinated, while the different funds should contribute to their overall policy framework and objectives.

Public-private partnerships and the future of the TEN-T trans-European transport network

EU Transport ministers explored the possibilities for innovative financing instruments which could better mobilize private financing. Although these are possibilities which are increasingly coming into the scene, ministers agreed that these financial instruments could neither be a systematic solution nor a general alternative to state budget or European Union financing.

The Hungarian Presidency, the European Commission as well as the ministers in charge for Transport highlighted the key role played by integrated and improved transport networks for social and economic cohesion. For that reason, the review of the trans-European transport network policy comes at a crucial time for Europe in order to support economic growth and as a way to help Member States to enjoy full access to the internal market.

All parties showed their conviction that the TEN-T policy should contribute to boosting economic growth, enhancing Europe’s competitiveness and sustainability and to facilitating balanced development of the European regions in the future.